Pfeiffer has been working at movie theaters for more than 40 years doing cleaning and other maintenance tasks. During this period of time, Pfeiffer has worked for four different theater companies, Midcontienet, Carmike Cinemas, AMC, and Phoenix Theatres, and worked alongside 10 separate managers.

Pfeiffer credits his dad Otto, for getting his job at the movie theater. Otto Pfeiffer, who was mayor of New Ulm for a period of time, worked at the original Lyric Theatre. Otto would make signs for the outside of the building and helped out with other things as well.

“I remember my dad made a huge shark out of plywood for ‘Jaws’ so when people would pay for their ticket they would put their hand through the shark mouth,” Pfeiffer said.

Pfeiffer would often go along with his dad while he was doing some of his work at the theater.

John Pfieffer posing by the popcorn machine wearing his custom “Lyric Three” shirt, gifted to him by Logan Wick.

“I used to help put the signs up with my dad at the old theater and I think that’s maybe how the theater manager noticed me,” Pfeiffer said.

The “New Ulm Theatre” always had a special place in Pfeiffer’s heart, with a lot of it having to do with the people there.

“I do remember as a kid, the manager John Dietenhofen came out to our car to give me a lot of candy, a simple thing but it was kind and made a long memory,” Pfeiffer said.

Orval Dietz was also brought up.

“Orval Dietz was the only main projectionist at the theater on 1st North. He was a good worker and worked many years at the present theater location as well,” Pfeiffer said.

John Pfieffer and his sister Tammy stand by a standee of “Dead Men Don’t Wear Plaid” in 1982. Tammy also worked at the First North theater for a short period of time. Submitted photo.

The layout of the theater also stuck with Pfeiffer, in part due to his interest in photography. Pfeiffer has had photos in the New Ulm Public Utilities and in the Sr. Perspective paper.

“The theater on 1st North had one screen, a balcony, and two projectors to show one movie,” Pfeiffer said, “at the time I didn’t really think of it, but I really regret not taking a picture of the inside of the theater.”

Along with his interest in photography, Pfeiffer loves storytelling. Pfeiffer shared a story about cleaning at the “New Ulm Theatre” one night during a storm.

“I had to clean one night when there was thunder, lightning, and rain. I thought it would be scary in there alone so I brought a flashlight and a jackknife,” he said. “While cleaning the main floor, a seat up in the balcony flipped up on its own, adding to the fear of being alone in all of the dark areas of the theater with my imagination.”

Although Pfeiffer has many memories at the old New Ulm Theater most of his career was spent at the current theater location which opened in 1986.

John Pfieffer’s dad Otto Pfieffer by the concession counter at the original “Lyric” theater with co-workers in the early 1950s. The original Lyric would close in 1955. The movie theater at Center and German would take on the Lyric name in 2019.

“I worked on the very first day that the new building opened,” Pfeiffer said.

Along with the balcony story, Pfeiffer shared one of his favorite stories that happened in the current building.

“I was cleaning the theaters one day when I looked out the windows by the parking lot and mall and I saw dark clouds in the distance moving in my direction. I thought about speeding up my work to rush home but before I knew it, the storm was here,” he said.

“It was very rainy and windy and the street lights had turned on. I didn’t realize how bad things were, it was the day straight line winds hit New Ulm. When things settled down I tried to drive to my place. It took a long time because every other street had branched down. Near my place there was even a semi trailer blown on its side. I was worried my house would be a wreck but thankfully it was okay. Thinking back, I’m glad I stayed at the theater because It might have saved my life.”

Through the years, Pfeiffer watched the current building change. As “Midcontient,” “Carmike Cinemas,” and “AMC Theatres” all came and left, and Phoenix Theatres established itself there, many renovations were made.

Pfieffer showing off his creative side with a popcorn bag character.

“I think the changes in chairs were the best part. For the longest time the seats had no cupholders, but when the reclining seats came along there were finally cupholders. Pop spills used to be an every other day occurrence but the cupholders reduced the amount of spills a lot,” Pfeiffer said.

Although Pfeiffer has seen many changes to the movie theaters in New Ulm over the years, many things in his life have stayed the same. Pfeiffer’s favorite thing to do at work is talking with his coworkers.

“John is always joking around and talking to whoever he is working with,” Logan Wick, a coworker at the “Lyric Three” said.

Pfeiffer’s love of movies has not changed either.

“My favorite movie of all time is “The Wizard of Oz” because I remember looking forward to it coming on TV when I was a kid. My favorite newer movie is “Elvis” which we had about a year ago,” Pfeiffer said.

Pfeiffer shared his reason for staying at the theater for as long as he has.

“When I was younger, and maybe more handsome, I had always daydreamed of being a movie star and I had always loved movies. Maybe that’s why I’ve been at the movie theater for all of these years.”